Book Review: "Murder at the Movies" by Alicia Malone

“She said people think movies take you away from real life, but actually…they can help make sense of it.”

This was great fun! I’m a huge fan of old movies, so a murder mystery taking place in an old movie theater was right up my alley. And the author is a host on Turner Classic Movies, so she knows her stuff.

After blowing up her career as a Hollywood publicist, Audrey moves to Pine Island, off the coast of Maine. Her grandmother left her the owner of the Starlight Movie Palace, which has been in her family for decades. Pine Island is a tight-knit community that doesn’t love newcomers, so Audrey’s welcome is not enthusiastic.

She finds a note on her door telling her not to go through with it. She’s a little weirded out by that, but nothing is going to stop her from re-opening the theater. On the first night, she shows the Hitchcock classic Suspicion. And after the movie ends, she finds a dead body in the projection booth.

It turns out the victim was Liam Ross, a real estate developer who made more than his share of enemies. But while the police investigate his murder, the theater has to remain closed, so Audrey decides to do some freelance investigation to see what she can find out. Of course, getting her new neighbors to open up to her is easier said than done.

I loved all the movie trivia Audrey mentions in the book and the way she mentions a film actor or actress as she describes different people. The mystery itself was pretty compelling, and I liked how the plot tied itself up in the end. This is the start of a new series, and the second book comes out in June!

Book Review: "The River Runs Black" by Tessa Wegert

Tessa Wegert has done it again!! This is her eighth book and I just love the characters and the community she’s created. She always delivers a twisty thriller with some emotional depth, and her books are always so satisfying!

New York State’s North Country, not far from the Canadian border, has been left reeling by the recent death of a high school senior due to a cocaine overdose. His parents say he had never taken drugs before; his friends will not divulge any information they might have about who supplied the cocaine.

When an enormous drug bust is made on a speedboat traveling from Canada to the North Country, the local investigators are excited by the record haul they recovered. But when they discover that the cocaine they seized doesn’t match the cocaine that killed the young man, they realize there must be a larger drug ring than they ever fathomed.

When an obviously high young woman is found wandering around downtown with barely any clothes on, the police try to help her. But she runs away from them, leaving them to wonder what she was running from and who was keeping her high. And when the teenage daughter of a local investigator goes missing, the stakes grow even more dangerous.

I love the dogged police work of Tim Wellington and Shana Merchant, and it was great to see their return as well as that of other characters, like Mac and Val. I’ve so enjoyed watching these characters develop and transform into something deeper. I felt as if there were hints about a 3rd book in this series—I sure do hope so!

Book Review: "Something Wicked" by Falon Ballard

Thanks so much to Falon Ballard for sending me an absolutely beautiful copy of her book! I saw a blurb that described this as a blend between Macbeth and Moulin Rouge!, so you know I had to dive in!

The Uprising led to the monarchs of all four of Avon’s provinces to step down. To find the united Avon’s first president, it has been decreed that the person who kills each of their province’s rulers will be a candidate in the election.

Callum, the son of King James of Scota, was raised to succeed his father on the throne. But even though he is level-headed and would make an excellent leader, he absolutely does not want to kill his father. However, this is what his father and other family members expect of him.

To help Callum deal with the guilt he will feel upon murdering his father, his sister enlists the help of Lady Caterine, a Gifted courtesan at Avon’s most exclusive sex club. Caterine has the ability to manipulate the emotions of anyone who has an orgasm in her presence, so Callum’s sister hopes Caterine can help him.

The last thing anyone is counting on is for Callum and Caterine to fall in love. Callum has never trusted the Gifted, yet he trusts her completely. But when other forces want to take control of the country, they must team up before both are betrayed. Can they be honest with one another and save the country? Do they both want to?

I’ve been a huge fan of Ballard’s rom-coms, so I was intrigued by her first foray into romantasy. This book has all the steam, plus intrigue, family drama, and even a little espionage. It was a fun read and I look forward to the next book in Ballard’s Idle Reputations series!

Book Review: "A Marvelous Murder" by David S. Pederson

It’s 1939. Orland Orcott is a well-known director in Hollywood. (Well-known, but not well-liked.) He has a reputation as quite a womanizer, and he treats his actors with a tremendous amount of disrespect.

He throws a big party for his wife’s birthday at their Bel Air mansion. But tensions rise when his wife discovers that his latest mistress has been invited to the party. Shortly after a big blowout argument, Orland gets a phone call and retreats to his study. Not long after, he is found dead in his locked study.

The police are convinced that Orland’s death was a suicide. But Victor Marvel, one of the stars of Orland’s last film, is convinced it was murder. (He played an investigator in three films, so he knows his stuff.) He’s determined to figure out the truth behind Orland’s mysterious death.

There are a lot of people who might be suspects. There’s the director’s son, Tab, who was recently disowned because he is gay; Sheila, his former mistress, cast aside when he found a younger model; and notorious gossip columnist Agatha Mudd, who holds several grudges against him. Then there’s William Taylor, an aging actor who Orland bullied constantly, and William’s daughter, whose reputation the director has been happy to sully.

Aided by his boyfriend, up and coming actor Griffin Fenwick, and his costar and frequent date, Eve Spellman, Victor is one step ahead of the killer. And he’s determined to keep his and Griff’s relationship from the Hollywood rumor mills.

I loved the classic Hollywood setting and the way this book dealt with the issues of the day, like keeping queer actors in the closet and directors abusing their power. I just wished the actual mystery was a little more exciting. The pacing really dragged, and I wanted to start skimming pages.

Book Review: "Driven" by Mason Coile

This was a very different book than I expected, and it sure did pack a punch! I haven’t been able to get it out of my mind since I finished it.

“Hurt can’t be buried. It can be locked away for a time, or hidden, but eventually it rises to cause more pain.”

Jamie is being haunted. Seriously. Ever since his wife and daughter left him, every place he has lived has been occupied by creepy ghosts and disturbing noises. The ghosts infiltrate his dreams, follow him into the shower, take over his television, and keep forcing him to move to a smaller and smaller place in the hopes there won’t be room for them.

His ultimate solution is to find someone who will sell him their Lion—the world’s first completely safe, self-driving vehicle. He figures that he can eventually sleep in the car and it will keep the ghosts out. When he is able to buy one, he hopes this will free him of being haunted.

But he wakes up in the car to discover the hood is dented, the windshield is shattered, and—wait, that’s blood. It looks like the car ran over someone. But who? And when the car refuses to unlock its doors, Jamie isn’t sure what the car is planning next, or how much more complicit he’ll be in whatever it does.

While there are certainly elements of horror and gore present, what sets this book apart is its exploration of grief and despair. I wondered how far the car would go and how the book would resolve itself. And on a sad note, Mason Coile was the pen name for Andrew Pyper, a Canadian science fiction and horror writer who died in 2025.

Book Review: "When They Find Me" by Carter Wilson

When more than one Bookstagram friend tells you that this book is “a banger,” you know I had to request an ARC! And they were not wrong—this was fantastic! Thanks so much to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the advance copy!

Expanse, Colorado is a tiny town of 313 people. It’s the perfect place for people who are hiding from someone or just want to live off the grid. This is where Annie and her daughter Coral have settled, and Annie has done everything she can to ensure that no one knows where they are.

A few years ago, Annie had to kill someone. She’s been looking over her shoulder ever since. She expects that someone will come looking for her one day and try to get revenge, so she’s determined to keep her and Coral safe.

One day, trouble comes calling in the form of an angry old man who calls himself Coyote, and his two adult children, Boone and Riven. They’ve come to Expanse to find the man Coyote insists destroyed his life and tried to break up his family. Riven is ready to kill this man and finally prove her worth to her father.

Annie isn’t expecting Coyote, Boone, and Riven to show up at her door, and she’s definitely not the person they’re expecting to find. But they get locked in a battle of wills, and both Annie and Coyote will do all they can to protect their children. When truths are uncovered, no one will be left the same.

Carter Wilson is an exceptionally talented thriller writer. This was definitely a book which kept me guessing. There was so much tension, so much simmering anger and violence just under the surface. I wanted to applaud when it was done.

The book will publish 11/10.

Book Review: "All Them Dogs" by Djamel White

I felt this book in my soul. Not that I identified with the characters or the violence, but Djamel White’s storytelling was so powerful it grabbed hold of me and didn’t let go.

“He was beautiful. There was no denying it. Nothing would change that. To see past it felt impossible. Hating something beautiful must make your insides shrivel. It made me ugly. It made me see that I’ve always been ugly.”

After he killed a rival gang member, Tony fled his home in Dublin and went to England. He longed for home, but needed to be sure the fury died down before it was safe to return. And when he returned five years later, he discovered one of his closest friends and mentors had been murdered and his other friend has abandoned the gangster life they lived.

Tony gets a job working as an enforcer for a local thug. He mostly picks up drugs and goes after people who owe money. He wants to be more powerful, but even though time has passed since he killed, he’s always looking over his shoulder. And having a very short fuse doesn’t help.

His job is to assist Flute, his boss’ right-hand man. Tony knew of Flute when they were growing up, but he is mystified by this quiet yet brutal giant. And when the two find themselves drawn together, it sets them on a dangerous path, as past and present crimes take their toll.

This is definitely not a book for everyone, and the Irish slang the characters use was tough to follow at first. But this story has so much heart, and even though you know tragedy is impending, I still found myself a bit hopeful. A surprising, beautiful read.

Book Review: "Plant Lady" by Minyoung Kang, translated by Shanna Tan

I really enjoyed this! It’s a little creepy, a little mysterious, and a bit thought-provoking. I’ll definitely be thinking about this for a while.

Yoohee was an office worker who decided to leave her job and open a plant shop. She found space in a neighborhood that didn’t appear to have much foot traffic, but it’s not long before the shop becomes popular, both with customers and on social media.

She cares tremendously about her plants, painstakingly caring for them and ensuring they get the climate and lighting they need to thrive. People visit because they know how much she knows plants, and that she carries many unusual varieties.

But those aren’t the only reasons customers flock to Plant Shop. Troubled women—those frightened or abused or mistreated by men—seek Yoohee’s counsel. She is all too willing to help free these women of the burdens that are causing their unhappiness, fear, even pain. She has tools at her disposal and she’s not afraid to use them.

Yoohee knows how these women feel. At one point, back in her hometown, she fell victim to a young man she believed to be kind and good. The pain of those days has haunted her, so she’s willing to do whatever it takes to help her customers. No one will miss them anyway, right? And if they do, would they ever suspect the owner of Plant Shop?

This isn’t quite a horror novel; it’s more dark literary fiction than anything else. But I was utterly captivated. I wondered if things would get creepier or if Yoohee would get her comeuppance. In the end, though, I cheered her heroism, even if it took a much more sinister tone.

Book Review: "The Season of Sinking" by Daphne Woolsoncroft

Daphne Woolsoncroft’s debut thriller, Night Watcher, was one of my favorite books of last year. I eagerly anticipated this one, hoping for another great thriller. I definitely wasn’t disappointed—she kept me guessing from start to finish.

Imogen is shocked to learn that her mother has died unexpectedly. She leaves her life in Seattle to head to Lake Blair, the small Washington town where she grew up. The plan is for her and her twin sister Amelia to pack everything up, put the house up for sale, and get back to their regular lives.

But being home is a difficult experience for Imogen. Not only is she consumed with grief about her mother’s death, but the unsettling feelings of fear that she had when growing up have returned. She never understood why she has recurring nightmares; her mother convinced her it was just her imagination tricking her.

While the police determined their mother’s death was accidental, Imogen wonders if someone else was responsible. But casual remarks from a few of her mother’s friends definitely raise her hackles, so she’s determined to figure out what really happened. And when the house keeps getting broken into, she wonders who is behind all of the chaos.

She reunites with Rory, her high school boyfriend and neighbor. As they tentatively take steps toward rekindling their feelings for one another, Imogen starts having her doubts about him. Why does he keep showing up moments after something happens?

There are a lot of things going on in the book, but it never felt overwhelming. As usual when I read twisty books, I suspect absolutely everyone, and couldn’t wait to see how it all wrapped up. Imogen is definitely more than a damsel in distress.

Book Review: "Before You Were Anne" by Emiko Jean

“Love is just creating something the world can take away.“

This book was one of my most anticipated of September, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. Emiko Jean’s last book, The Return of Ellie Black, was one of my absolute favorites of 2024, and this was a worthy sequel!

Detective Chelsey Calhoun is a few months pregnant, but she’s not ready to go public yet, because she doesn’t want to get stuck behind a desk. Yet when she and her partner have to investigate the murder of a woman and the disappearance of her teenage daughter, she’s not prepared for the case to hit so close to home.

The murder victim was a woman named Anne, but behind that simple name was a frightened woman who had to find her own way again and again. She was raised on a farm in a remote Japanese town, only to get involved with the yakuza in Tokyo, then flee to Idaho for a new start, only to seek refuge in Seattle. Her 16-year-old daughter Naomi is missing, and Chelsey is worried that she might meet the same fate as her mother.

The more Chelsey and her partner dig into Anne’s past, the more secrets are uncovered about her past. For Chelsey, who was adopted as a young child, the questions about Anne make her wonder about her own past. But she also finds that if some secrets find the light of day, it might prove deadly.

This is both a twisty mystery and an emotional story. Chelsey’s pregnancy definitely made her even more focused on finding Naomi before it’s too late. The book is narrated by Chelsey, Anne, and Naomi, and each voice is slightly different. I hope we’ll get back to Seattle in another of Jean’s books!

Book Review: "Summer Coven" by Kat Hillis and Rosiee Thor

I was so excited to see that my favorite vampires/bed and breakfast owners were back for a second adventure! Thanks so much to Berkley and NetGalley for the advance copy!

Arthur Miller (no relation) and his husband, Sal Conte, finally feel at home in Trident Falls. Business at their bed and breakfast (called Dead & Breakfast) is booming, especially with the summer solstice festival coming to town. And since Arthur was able to solve a murder (and clear Sal as a suspect), they’ve finally made friends in town.

The summer solstice festival is absolutely packed, and all of the food and activities bring out Sal’s inner child. When he takes their cat, Rumble, to a pet psychic, there is a bit of a kerfuffle. Later that day, the pet psychic is found dead, apparently poisoned. (She obviously couldn’t intuit she was drinking poison.)

At first, Sal once again is the primary suspect, but Arthur is able to quickly clear his name. But his skills as a VAMP (Very Astute Married Paranormal) PI are requested by Ambrosia, the head of the Celestine Coven, a group of witches essentially operating an MLM of sorts. Of course, Arthur hasn’t solved his other case yet—the disappearance of their friend’s missing mother—but he realizes the two cases are connected.

It turns out Ambrosia isn’t the benevolently powerful witch she’s pretending to be. The coven is getting investigated for fraud, and Ambrosia (who used to be called Amanda) may not even be a real witch. Can Arthur expose the real criminals before it’s too late? How many diversions can Sal create?

This is a fun series. Arthur and Sal are an adorable couple, as each balances the other out. Sal is flighty, flaky, and utterly melodramatic, while Arthur could use a little more loosening up. I hope to see them again in another book!

Book Review: "Kiss Slay Replay" by Rachel Harrison

Over the last few years, I’ve become a huge fan of Rachel Harrison’s books, despite the fact that I don’t read much horror. But her upcoming book, Kiss Slay Replay, may be my most favorite yet. Thanks so much to Berkley and NetGalley for the advance copy!

Being a wedding guest can definitely be stressful, even when your best friends are getting married. Willa is dreading her friends’ wedding because she recently ended her own engagement, and her ex will be there, too. She knows that breaking up with Ravi was the right thing, but why is she so conflicted?

Despite her misgivings, she drives up to the wedding. It’s being held at a posh summer camp-turned-wedding venue, and it’s absolutely gorgeous. All of her best friends are there and they quickly fall into old behaviors and routines. And then she finds out that Ravi has brought a date to the wedding.

Before she can completely spiral, she meets Danny, an old friend of the groom’s. They flirt and mess around a bit, and plan for more—but then a masked killer comes out of the woods and starts murdering everyone. Willa and Danny try to rescue people but nearly everyone has been killed—and then the killer comes after them. And just as she gets killed…

…she wakes up in her apartment, having had the craziest nightmare. But it turns out it’s the morning of the wedding again. She’s freaked out but knows she has to try and save her friends this time. No luck, however. She’s fallen into some type of murderous time loop, and each time she relives the wedding, the killing gets more and more brutal. Can she escape and stay alive?

This is definitely bloody and more than a bit disturbing. But apart from the horror, this is a poignant look at how our lives take different paths from our friends, and what do you do when things don’t go the way you planned? I loved this.

The book will publish 9/1.

Book Review: "The Blue Flame" by George Pelecanos

George Pelecanos is one of my favorite crime writers of all time. He’s definitely an author that should be so much more of a household name because his books are really excellent. I was so excited that he had a new book come out and that it featured a familiar character, PI Derek Strange.

“Everything that used to be complicated and laborious was easy now. But an investigator still needed to know how to talk to people and do the job.”

Derek Strange is still working as a private investigator, still operating out of his office in Washington, DC. And he’s still as dogged as ever when trying to figure out a case. When he’s approached by a drug lawyer, asking him to help clear his client of a murder charge, Derek is ready to search for answers.

What Derek discovers is a series of crimes affecting young men who grew up together, playing football in high school. But now one is dead, one is accused of his murder, and the younger sister of another is the link between the two. He figures out what happened and tells the police, although he keeps some of the details to himself.

Shortly thereafter, another murder occurs, and Derek feels a responsibility to clear it up. Of course, the police have warned him about interfering, and he finds himself treading in some dangerous neighborhoods, but it’s all in a day’s work.

I love the amazing details Pelecanos brings to his books, both in setting and habits of his characters. This is a crime novel but it’s also about greed, family, protecting your own, and second chances. I hope we’ll see Derek back again—I’ve missed him!

Book Review: "Murder with a Side of Shrimp and Grits" by Skylar Warren

I’m so thankful that this book wound up on my radar. Of course, I’m utterly starving after reading it, but this cozy mystery absolutely warmed my heart. You’ve got to love a book that makes you wish you could somehow teleport into the town it’s set in!

Honeybee’s Hideaway diner has been feeding the bellies and the souls of Willow Bluff, Georgia for 50 years now. Jessie Haynes is running Honeybee’s now, following in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother. The smell of butter and garlic, with just a hint of cinnamon, has filled Jessie’s life for as long as she can remember.

On the day of the diner’s 50th anniversary celebration, the mayor comes in and orders his usual shrimp and grits. But after the first bite, he has trouble breathing, and he collapses quickly thereafter. When word gets out that the mayor died, the townspeople immediately suspect Jessie, despite the fact they’ve seen her cooking since she wasn’t tall enough to see over the counter.

Jessie is devastated by what happened to the mayor, and the damage his death does, not only to her reputation, but to the future of Honeybee’s. Suddenly she’s the topic of gossip and speculation all over town, and some are even trying to capitalize on her misfortune.

When they find a wrapper from a peanut packet in the diner’s pantry, it quickly becomes obvious that the mayor’s death was no accident. And clearly someone wanted to hurt Honeybee’s in the process. So Jessie, along with her mother, her best friend Tee, her young waitress, and the town’s handsome new therapist band together to clear Jessie’s name and find the killer.

I absolutely love books in which cooking and restaurants play a part. And while I’m craving nearly everything Jessie cooked in this book, I so enjoyed the warmth of Willow Bluff and all of the characters. I’m excited that this was the start of a new series, and the second book will be out in October!

Book Review: "Hot Girl Murder Club" by Ashley Winstead

I’ve read all of Ashley Winstead’s books, and one of the things I love about her is she’s never content to write the same book twice. Every one of her books is different from the next, and she always keeps me guessing!

Ten years ago, Scout Sage’s younger sister Georgia was murdered at a Hollywood executive’s Christmas party. The alleged killer was never brought to justice.

Now, with her musical career just on the cusp of exploding, Scout is always surrounded by a posse of beautiful women. Some of them are famous for having overcome abusive relationships or other toxic situations. But with a string of revenge-type murders occurring, suddenly Scout (and her so-called “Hot Girl Murder Club”) is the prime suspect.

Detective Grey Holloway is tapped to lead the investigation, despite her youth and Barbie-like appearance. Is Scout a vigilante murderer, or is someone trying to frame her and call her out for her past transgressions? The deeper Grey digs, she finds that there have been many crimes perpetrated against women in Hollywood that have gone unpunished, and there may even be a more personal tie to these incidents.

This book is really quite timely given the way the pendulum has swung back from the #MeToo era. There are characters in the book who give voice to the anti-woke, pro-male perspective that seems to be prevalent in today’s society.

There are A LOT of characters in this book and a lot of perspectives. I found the two main narrative threads to be the most interesting, and when either of them were the focus, I was much more dialed in. But I love some good vigilante justice, and Winstead again delivered a compelling read!

Book Review: "Love & Other Killers" by Brynne Weaver

“Everybody’s gotta have a hobby, even if it is hunting the most wretched pieces of shit on the planet in a blood sport competition, and I intend to maintain my run as champion of the Annual August Showdown.”

I haven’t read any of the books in Brynne Weaver’s Ruinous Love trilogy yet, but after reading this, I definitely need to! This was a fun, twisty, dark, and steamy story.

Sloane and her husband Rowan, along with his two brothers and her best friends, have an annual competition each August. But it’s not quite your usual competition. The six of them are all serial killers, and each year they challenge each other to hunt down a cold-blooded killer. Whoever makes the kill—the more brutal, the better—gets bragging rights.

This year’s target is Allan Munster. He’s a chicken farmer with a moonshine distillery on the side. He goes to church every Sunday. But he’s also a monstrous murderer who has covered up his actions. Or so he thinks.

So it’s women versus men to see who can take Munster down first. They’re lying in wait. But Sloane can’t help but wonder what the appearance of someone from their past earlier in the day means…

I thought this was great. The characters and their banter were fantastic. (One character called another “Budget Batman” a few times and it made me laugh.) There’s lots of steam, too. Suffice it to say, I’m heading for the Ruinous Love trilogy now!

Book Review: "Indie Darling" by Lauren Nossett

Sometimes it’s all about timing. I’ve been meaning to read this book for a few months now, but I finally got around to picking it up this week. Little did I know that the main character was a huge Dolly Parton fan. It was almost like Dolly herself was sending me a sign.

Kelly is a private investigator in Nashville. She only works for women—those wondering about their husbands’ fidelity or honesty, those who believe they’re being stalked, even those in search of a missing family member or friend. She knows what it’s like not to be listened to, so she’s always there for her clients.

She gets hired by Sarah Owens, a musician known as Seraph, who is the lead singer of a band called The Garden Snakes. The band’s popularity is increasing, but they’re also quite controversial, since their music talks about women being victimized and their taking the power back.

Sarah tells Kelly that she and her other two bandmates are being harassed. They’ve been receiving threatening letters and emails, and even had a few break-ins. But when Sarah gets attacked, she knows that she needs someone to identify her assailant. However, she’s not willing to keep her band from performing.

One night, The Garden Snakes are performing at a big Nashville music festival. While on stage, Sarah gets shot. She is rushed into an ambulance, but it turns out the ambulance never made it to a hospital—it was waylaid by someone. Kelly is determined to find Sarah, if she’s still alive, and figure out who is responsible for the harassment, the shooting, and the kidnapping. But this investigation could prove harmful to Kelly, too.

I really thought this was a great read. Kelly is a terrific character—feisty yet dealing with her own demons. But she refuses to let her investigation drop, no matter what comes her way. I hope this is the start of a series!!

Book Review: "The Black Orchid" by Loreth Anne White

This was my Amazon First Reads pick for August. One thing’s for sure: reading this definitely reinforced my determination never to go on a cruise! I mean, if you combine all of the things that have gone wrong with cruises recently along with the fictional mishaps, you’ll understand why I feel the way I do!

The Black Orchid, one of the most luxurious ships ever built, will embark on its maiden voyage through the Aegean Sea. A number of wealthy and notable people will have the opportunity to experience this luxury first-hand. But within three days, the ship will have sunk, and some of the passengers will die.

Retired FBI profiler Gideon Marsh is on the ship with his estranged daughter and her young son, who aspires to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps. He’ll be giving talks about his most notorious cases, partially highlighting the impending release of his new book. But his real reason for traveling on the ship may prove more dangerous than he imagined.

Famed war photojournalist Lilith McGregor has survived some harrowing circumstances. As she enters the twilight of her life, nothing may be as challenging as facing her stepson’s money-hungry fiancé, who wants her intended back in his father’s will. And her personal assistant, Poppy, hopes to ingratiate herself to Lilith as well in order to change the course of her life.

The ship runs into a once-in-a-lifetime storm, which threatens the safety of passengers and the ship itself. During the course of the book, we follow a documentary crew as they try to recreate the disaster that befell the Black Orchid.

There was a lot going on in the book, ostensibly to divert our attention from the misery on the ship. But too much time was spent on the documentary, which seemed to go on too long. There were some surprises and lots of stuff that I expected. I was entertained but felt like they could have tightened up the story a bit.

Book Review: "Pretty Dead Things" by Kelsey Cox

In the small town of Anhalt, Texas, the Lone Star Princess Pageant is a big deal. The competition is cutthroat—and that’s just among some of the mothers! No one believes their daughter is more deserving than Kennedy Claire, a former winner herself, who will stop at nothing to make sure the crown winds up on her daughter’s head.

Twenty-five years ago, on the night of the pageant, Isabelle Whitmore disappeared. Everyone believed she was murdered by her boyfriend Ben and that her body was buried somewhere on the sprawling Sherman Ranch. Now, Izzy’s twin sister Ingrid has returned to town, just as construction crews are digging up the ranch to build houses.

The pageant reawakens old hurts and resentments. Melanie can’t shake the trauma she experienced after being pranked by her friends; Cat, who has finally gotten sober, is convinced she’s being followed; and Ingrid begins to realize the truths she believed about her sister’s disappearance may not be accurate.

When a major winter storm—nearly unheard of in Texas—strikes Anhalt, all the pageant contestants and their families are stuck together under one roof. But after one death shakes everyone up, the question of who is responsible worries everyone. And that’s not all they’ll need to deal with.

This was a really good thriller. I really didn’t know what was going to happen and who would be the culprit, and Kelsey Cox definitely kept me guessing. There was a lot going on but it never felt overwhelming. I want to go back and read her debut thriller now!

Book Review: "Be Still My Unbeating Heart" by Josh Winning

What fun this was! I mean, I was already sold on the description: “A cozy vampire vacation mystery set in a seaside Italian village, featuring a reformed vampire, his magical talking cat, and a handsome, brooding detective.” But Josh Winning did such a great job with this book.

Bastian is a vampire. But a vegetarian one. Five years ago he cleaned up his act and kicked the whole feeding off humans thing.

Everybody needs a little time away, even the undead. So Bastian and his best friend, Whitby (the aforementioned talking cat), head to Vernazza, a beautiful Italian village. Bastian is hoping to enjoy the sunshine (as long as he has sunscreen), take in the sights, dance a little, and maybe find a handsome man to enjoy it all with.

However, on their first beach walk, Bastian stumbles over the body of a young woman. It looks like she’s been killed by a…vampire? Of course, the police find him near the body and immediately suspect Bastian of murder and take him into custody.

Bastian is put on house arrest, guarded by Nicole, a handsome police inspector, who initially seems immune to his charms. But Nico starts to fall for Bastian, and realizes, as more bodies appear, that someone else is responsible, and is framing vampires. Yet the police commissioner has summoned the Vampire Council, and that could wind up causing more harm than good.

I really enjoyed this book. Bastian and Whitby are the oddest of pairs and their banter is quite fun. And while the mystery is definitely twisty, there’s a lot of dialogue about accepting who you are and embracing your differences—which works for everyone, not just vampires. I’d love to see another book in this series!